The different textures of the foliage next to the arrangement of pebbles in the path create movement through the June's PlantAsia garden

We visited at the start of their Chihuly exhibit, which runs from June 14-November 30th, 2014. Dale Chihuly is a glass artist who has exhibited at many gardens around the world. Placed within the planting beds, many of his sculptures replicate plants in shape and color, while others are a stark contrast with bright colors, hard lines, and even polka dots. I left the Gardens with so many great ideas about art in the garden, new uses of interesting plant material, and dreams of rock gardening in the south.

Wispy tiger-striped glass contrasts with pinks and yellows in the O'Fallon Perennial Walk

I love the way the bright blue glass in "Blue Fiddleheads" picks up the silvery blue of the blue spruce (Picea pungens 'Montgomery') in the O'Fallon Perennial Walk

Rock Alpine Garden with "Neodymium Reeds"

"Green Hornets and Gold Waterdrops" in the foreground and "Neodymium Reeds"in the background

Later in the week, we visited the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. This branch location of DBG is a working farm with nature trails, a butterfly house, a community supported agriculture (CSA) operation, and rental facilities. It was a fun-filled evening complete with hayrides, swing dancing, and enjoying the tranquil beauty of the preserved site. This piece of land really is a gem and it is so wonderful that DBG has saved it from being developed.